PUBLIC HEARING SET ON FEBRUARY 13, 2009 @ 9:30 am

TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON PROPOSAL TO INCREASE FERRY FARE FOR SERVICE TO AT&T PARK

On January 23, 2009, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) Board of Directors (Board) set a public hearing at 9:30 am on Friday, February 13, 2009, in the Board Room of the Golden Gate Bridge Administration Building to take public comment on a staff proposal to increase the Special Event one-way ferry fare between the Larkspur Ferry Terminal and AT&T Park to $8.00 from the current $7.50, effective March 1, 2009. The fare increase is in response to the need to raise operating revenues to meet operating expenses.

Customers may comment at the hearing or comment at: publichearing@goldengate.org.
After considering public comments, a final staff proposal would be presented to the Finance-Auditing Committee on February 26, 2009, and to the Board for action on February 27, 2009.

The District’s Master Ordinance contains policy for providing Special Event Larkspur-to-AT&T Park ferry service and setting the fares for the service. The District requires that fares be set to generate sufficient passenger revenues to cover the cost of providing the service. The current fare of $7.50 one way was set in 2008. The need to increase fares is presented at this time since the first game for the San Francisco Giants baseball team at AT&T Park is April 2, 2009.

Staff estimates it will cost approximately $551,000 to operate Special Event service to 79 Giants home games in 2009. Therefore, in keeping with the goal to “break even” and with an estimated average ridership per ferry trip of 436 passengers, the price of a one-way ferry fare ride would be $8.00. The following table compares the current 2008 and proposed 2009 one-way Special Event ferry fares:

Larkspur to AT&T Park

CURRENT 2008
SPECIAL EVENT
ONE-WAY FARE

PROPOSED 2009
SPECIAL EVENT
ONE-WAY FARE

Adults and children over 5 yrs. of age

$7.50

$8.00

Children 5 yrs. old and under

FREE

FREE

The proposal consists of a 6.7% fare increase for Special Event Larkspur-to-AT&T Park ferry service. No frequent rider (TransLink), youth, senior or disabled discounts are offered. Fare is not required for up to two children, ages 5 and under, per fare-paying adult.

The policy and intent of the District’s Special Event services is to set fares at a “break even” level. Based on this premise, it is estimated that costs in 2009 will be approximately $551,000 and require a fare increase. It is also estimated that approval of the one-way fare at the “break even” level of $8.00 per passenger will generate revenue of approximately $551,000 in 2009.

Comparing the 2007 season to the 2008 season, the Giant’s attendance was down 11% while Golden Gate Ferry ridership went just down 6%. In 2007 season, GGF had 465 average riders per trip, while in the 2008 season there were 437 average riders per trip; this reflects the 6% drop in ferry riders from 2007 to 2008 season.